Further changes to employment laws won’t take place before the next federal election, says Workplace Minister Murray Watt, as the government dismisses opposition criticism on industrial relations.

In a National Press Club speech, Senator Watt hit out at claims workplace changes had brought widespread disruption, arguing workers are thousands of dollars better off.

While he said fresh reforms were not on the cards before the election, due by May, he did not say what would be on the agenda for a second term for industrial relations.

“As for our agenda going forward, you’ll be surprised to hear I’ve been busy dealing with other things in the last few weeks, so we haven’t commenced thinking about a second-term agenda,” he said on Wednesday.

“My priority for the remainder of this term is bedding down the legislation and changes we’ve made, ensuring that they’re working as they were intended.”

Opposition workplace spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said the government needed to be more transparent about further employment changes.

“What Murray Watt made very clear today to the Australian people is they should expect surprises from the Labor government, just like they got last time,” she told reporters in Canberra.

“Murray Watt today has belled the cat on a future Labor government.”

The workplace minister said he was not walking back from measures such as greater protection for labour hire workers, the right for employees to disconnect from their job after hours and allowing for multi-employer bargaining.

“We’re not looking at backing down on the industrial relations laws we’ve introduced and took to the last election that are delivering secure jobs, better pay, safer workplaces, more co-operative workplaces and benefits for employers as well,” he said

“Sure, there are some employer groups and some employers who are unhappy but a hell of a lot of others are out there forming agreements co-operatively, yielding better productivity.”

The federal government will carry out a review of its workplace changes which will be finalised by January.

The coalition has indicated it would also examine all reforms should it win the next election.

Senator Watt said right to disconnect laws, which came in from August, won’t be expanded to include more employees.

The speech came on the same day the federal government announced  it would require employers to pay superannuation for workers on the same day they receive their wages.

The changes will kick in from July 2026 as part of efforts to ensure workers are fairly compensated and do not miss super payments.

Andrew Brown
(Australian Associated Press)